Algeria has "suspended football indefinitely following the death of
Cameroonian player Albert Ebosse, who was hit by a stone thrown by fans," according to Ian Hughes of the BBC. The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) made the decision after a meeting on Sunday. Algerian authorities had "already ordered the indefinite closure of the 1st November 1954 stadium." That ruling "will now apply to all stadiums in the country." The FAF said in a statement it had postponed the
league "in protest at the irresponsible actions of certain fanatics and
hooligans who resort to violence in the stadiums which has reached an
unacceptable level." An investigation into Ebosse's death, and a "deeper inquiry into football
hooliganism in the country, has been ordered by the Algerian interior
ministry" (BBC, 8/25). The AFP reported Ebosse's death "has sparked widespread revulsion in Algeria." The FAF said that it was "considering taking further action, including the expulsion of the club at fault 'from all competitions.'" Algerian daily El Watan suggested "this tragedy surprises nobody." It
explained, "For years now violence has crept into the stadiums and
spills over sometimes onto the streets, bringing with it a climate of
fear and insecurity in our cities." Another
daily, Liberte, suggested Saturday's tragic incident "could have
happened in any Algerian stadium," as "violence is general and
systematic." For psychiatrist Mahmoud Boudarène, Ebosse’s death
under a "deluge of missiles" was "a collective murder" in a nation where
violence "has become the norm" (AFP, 8/25).
